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June 4, 2020 — Atlanta, Georgia — There are no expressions that can undo what has been happening across the United States. The hard truth is that Black lives are being unjustly taken on our own streets more frequently. The death of George Floyd has ignited a moment for change not only in our country, but around the world. It is exhausting and a failure that to know and witness African Americans being threatened and harassed by law enforcement, which is an extension of centuries old anti-Black racism and oppression. There comes a time when enough is enough. The time for action is now!

The Iconic House of Blahnik is making a commitment to stand up against the racial injustice that surrounds Black communities. We have a national platform, and we plan to speak up and use it.

Black Trans, Black Nonbinary, Black Lesbians, Black Queers, Black Bisexuals, Black Gays, Black Heterosexuals, know that your life matters. We hear you. We love you. We are here for you. The support, the education and engagement doesn’t stop here. There is still MUCH more work to be done to ensure that Black lives DO matter in every city, county, state, and across the nation and world. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Iyanna Dior, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and to our many African American brothers and sisters we have lost to police violence, we say your name.

If you’re looking for ways to support social justice groups for Black communities, check out our list of resources below. Remember, there are many ways for you to show your support such as: calling your local representatives, supporting local/national protests, educating yourself/others, donating to causes across the country and taking care of your mental health:

According to the HIV/AIDS Network Coordination, in 2009, young, black MSM men accounted for 27 percent of new HIV infections in the U.S. Wallace said this is due in part to their lack of inclusion in HIV trials.

Since he began working at the Hutch in January 2013, Wallace has elevated the public profile of the project through various communities and federal agencies across the country.

“One of the first things that is readily apparent about Stephaun is that he is a self-starter,”said Katie Osterhage, who worked with Wallace on the Legacy Project. “If he sees something that the organization should be doing, but isn’t, he’ll bring the necessary people to the table and he will get it accomplished.”

Wallace started in 1999 by working with various community colleges in California where he helped to unify black student unions. Before long, he was elected to the Board of Trustees at Antelope Valley College, the first black student to do so.

“I realized there is something about being able to move systems forward, something about galvanizing people around a cause that was fulfilling for me,”Wallace said.

In 2000, he moved to Atlanta where he began to meet with various community leaders and learn more about HIV and how it was affecting the minority LGBT communities. He wanted to respond to this because there was not much in terms of communication or advocacy.

At 22 years old, Wallace was appointed as executive director of “My Brothaz Keeper,” Atlanta’s first organization that focused on young, black, gay men. He was involved in outreach that including bringing in a psychotherapist and putting together a survival project.

This was his first experience with public health, and after “My Brothaz Keeper,”Wallace realized he wanted to delve even deeper.

“I thought, now, let me take a step back and entrench myself in public health and HIV so I can understand the nuances,”he said.

Since then, Wallace has been doing public health consulting work around the country that cover even wound problems with the help of clinic like http://expertwoundcare.com. A major focus of his in this field has been the house and ball community.

The house and ball community is a subculture in the U.S. where (primarily) minority LGBT people partake in competitions such as dancing and runway walks called “balls.”Members are typically associated with a certain “house”within the community.

Celebrities including Queen Latifah and Madonna have drawn inspiration from the community and incorporated it into their stage acts.

Unlike nearly every major city in the U.S., from Milwaukee to Austin, Seattle has no house and ball community. Wallace attributes this to the lack of a unified minority LGBT community, specifically a young, black, MSM community in Seattle.

He noted that around the country Seattle is known for having a largely white LGBT community.

“When I first moved here my friends asked me if I was going to start dating white guys,”Wallace laughed. “It still sometimes feels like I’m one of four black people in the class.”

He said that while having a house and ball community would greatly benefit Seattle, it is not something that should be forced, it should happen organically.

Wallace is, himself, the chairman and president of The House of Blahnik, a nationally recognized organization that has been featured in publications such as ELLE Magazine and The New York Times.

The House of Blahnik website explains that they are a “national social-network of progressive, supportive and creative individuals geared to developing and garnishing the talents/gifts of the “house/ball”community.”

A portion of Wallace’s work with Legacy has been co-leading an offshoot project called Project VOGUE. Based in New York, the goal of VOGUE was to create a curriculum to address HIV knowledge and awareness within the house and ball community with the help of leaders within these communities. It was the first project of its kind.

“Due to stigma, prejudice and discrimination, the House Ball community often mistrusts research institutions,”said Michele Andrasik who worked with Wallace on VOGUE. “Stephaun has effectively connected the community to preventive HIV vaccine research and helped to establish and maintain relationships between the community and investigators.”

In late September, Wallace travelled to The White House to serve on a panel discussion on an LGBT policy agenda. He delivered a speech to the president’s staff about house and ball communities and the necessity for more funding for HIV treatment and prevention and other health disparities.

Wallace also spoke about a mixed methods study that is being developed at the Fred Hutchinson Center that focuses specifically on young, black MSM men in the Pacific Northwest Region and exposing this population to more HIV prevention methods and clinical trials.

“One of the outcomes is to identify the needs and issues of the [minority LGBT] community from a health perspective.”Wallace said of his current projects. “And also to understand the priorities of this particular group in relation to HIV and other health disparities.”

October 23rd, 2014- Philadelphia, PA. It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our treasured members, Gloria Casarez. In addition to being a loving wife, the trusted and well-respected City of Philadelphia Czar to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Community, a fierce community advocate and leader, Gloria was a founding member of the House of Blahnik’s National Board of Directors in 2002; serving as Vice Chairman from 2002 to 2007. Gloria’s accomplishments within the House of Blahnik include shepherding the development of the not-for-profit arm of the organization and being the visionary that championed the establishment of the House of Blahnik Day within the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 2010.

“Beyond all of her tireless community work, she was a loving and supportive friend. My mind replays the audio from past conversations where we planned our next victories, or she would share highlights from one of her fabulous vacations with her devoted partner, Tricia. Those moments helped to change a city, communities, and my life in a profound way,” says Damon L. Humes, House of Blahnik’s Executive Director. Her life is hallmark for courage, strength, determination and love.

We, the House of Blahnik, past and present members, leaders, parents and the entire body of the National Board of Directors, evoked Ballroom’s most revered tradition – conferring “Legendary” status. On this day and forever more, she will be memorialized in celebration of her life and saluted for her many trailblazing accomplishments as the “Legendary Gloria Blahnik Casarez!” Like legends that have come before her, she has made significant contributions within, and on behalf of, the community as she led the creation and implementation of programs and services that improved health, wellness and the systems that they are part of; as well as access to, and ongoing support for medical, social and human services. She helped to increase the community’s visibility; garnered acceptance and support by non-LGBT people and fostered greater appreciation for the cultural and artistic innovations created by the Ballroom.

“Did you ever know that you’re my HERO? You’re everything I wish I could be. I can fly higher than an eagle. You are the wind beneath my wings.” We love you Gloria!